Naval Academy gets its goat - 37th mascot joins the herd

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Naval Academy shows Bill XXXVII, the USNA's new goat to the mascot herd. Media outlets report that after the death of Bill XXXV due to illness, the Naval Academy decided Bill XXVI should have a shipmate next to him on the sidelines to keep morale high. (Tyler Caswel/USNA via AP)
(The Associated Press)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The U.S. Naval Academy has welcomed a new goat to the mascot herd, Bill XXXVII.

Media outlets report that after the death of Bill XXXV due to illness, the Naval Academy decided Bill XXXVI should have a shipmate next to him on the sidelines to keep morale high.

For 126 years, the academy has used a live goat as its mascot.

Bill XXXVII comes from the same farm as predecessors XXXVI and XXXV. He was flown from Texas to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and from there was taken to the goat mascot residence.

According to a Naval Academy statement, Bill XXXVII is acclimating to Navy life and "is already full of spunk, energy and vitriol toward Army."